Losing streak surprise of season

Slump taught a lot to league-champion Aeros

By Stephanie Storm

Beacon Journal sports writer

The 12-game losing streak.

It is the common thread most baseball folks point to as the real
surprise of the Aeros' 2005 season that culminated in their second
Eastern League championship in three years. How does a team lose 12 in
a row and still finish with the league's best record of 84-58, let
alone with another championship?

``We learned so much about ourselves during that losing streak,'' said
Aeros manager Torey Lovullo, a likely candidate to be promoted to
Triple-A Buffalo next season. ``It united us. It made us a better team.''

The bulk of this year's Aeros team were members of Lovullo's Class A
Kinston team that he led to the Carolina League title in 2004. And
while young, they came into the season at the Double-A level naive
enough to expect a repeat success.

``It may sound weird, but just as the playoffs started, we began to
get that feeling again,'' Aeros third baseman Pat Osborn said. ``It
was like we knew we were going to do it again. I don't think it came
as much of a surprise to any of us that we did.''

Although there was a time when it appeared as if the inexperienced
players were too far in over their heads -- the hitters took nearly
half a season to find their groove, and the pitching staff had to
carry the team through the first half.

It also appeared that way in late June, when the losing streak turned
into a franchise-worst drought, costing the Aeros a firm grip on first
place in the Eastern League Southern Division.

``I remember it like yesterday,'' Aeros catcher Javi Herrera said.
``We talked about it on the bus on the way home from Reading, how we
just needed one little break to bust out of the funk. And how when we
did, we would just go off a big run the rest of the season.''

Newcomer Ryan Mulhern was the one who came up with the big hit that
halted the streak. Just like the team, the rookie first baseman went
on to complete a career year that included hitting 32 homers while
playing on two teams.

``I think we just got off to such a slow start because it was a new
level and many of the guys weren't sure what to expect,'' Aeros
hitting coach Wayne Kirby said. ``We're a team that wins by doing the
little stuff -- hit-and-run, bunting, moving guys into scoring
position. Once we started focusing on doing those things well,
everything just fell into place.''

While the offense had to grow into its role, the team's pitching --
especially the starters -- was strong throughout. Despite having to
add and subtract various arms due to injuries and call-ups, the Aeros
finished the season with a league-best 3.40 ERA.

``If we'd have kept the same rotation from the beginning of the
season, I'd say `No problem, we could easily win the league ERA
title,' '' Herrera said. ``But to lose the guys we did and have so
many new guys come up, it's really a credit to (pitching coach Greg
Hibbard).''

Young outfielder Nate Panther was named MVP of the playoffs after
hitting .387 (12-for-31) with two doubles, two triples, a home run and
five RBI. During the celebration that ensued after the Aeros defeated
Portland in four games last weekend, Panther talked about how the
award really belonged to the entire team.

A statement that would have made Lovullo proud.

``I've always told them that a solid team of nine players will always
beat a team of one or two good players,'' Lovullo said. ``A complete
team will win ballgames. A complete team will win championships.''